Cut-out-switch lock



Nov. 16 1926.

M. W. STEVENS :NNI

Paieniea Nev. ie, i926.

MAnLowE W. srEvnNs, on'rincnrna, KENTUCKY.

- cUT-oUT-swITcHHLocK.

Application filed October 23, 1924. Serial No. 745,483.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in switches, and particularly to switches for use in connection with third rails or overhead trolley wires, in mines.

One object is to provide a switch of this character, which is especially adapted for use asl a cutout, and which automatically locks inlopen position, to protect the workmen from high tension currents, when coming into contact with the railor wire. Another object is to provide a cutou switch arranged to be readily swung into and out of operative position, and being provided with a keeper adapted to receive the latch or lock bolt of a lock, whereby to hold the switch out of position, while the wire is operated upon. p

Another object is to provide a movable rail or wire section which has meansfor being forming proper electrical contact with the v section 14 1s swung upwardly out of'alineremainder of the rail or wire.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing. l

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a 'portion of an elevated trolley wire, showing the cutout switch in'closed position. Y

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view on theline 2 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse sectiona `view on the same line as that of Figure 2, but showing theswitch in open and locked position.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 4 4 of VFigure 1. f

Referring particularly to the accompanying drawing, 10 and 11 represent the ends of a trolley rail, which are suspended by the support or hanger 12. In the lower portion of the center of the support or hanger there is formed a longitudinal recess 13, and disposed within this recess is the upper edge of the movable rail section 14, a shaft 15 being disposed longitudinally through the upper portion of the section and'through the end walls ofthe recess, whereby'to pivotally support the section 14, for lateral swinging movement into and out of alinement with y Vthe rail ends 10 and 11. In the intermediate portion of the upper part 'of the section l14 there is formed a recess 16, and secured in covering relation to this recess is a longitudin'ally' slotted plate 17, which forms theV keeper for the loclr18, whichis mountedin a recess 19, in one side ofthe support or hanger 12. 'One end of theshaft 15 is bent into crank form, as shown at 20, and is provid-ed with a hand grip 21, which is adapted to be grasped to rock the shaft and thereby swing thesection 14 into and out of alinement with the rail ends 10 and 11. Inthe mutually adjacent ends of the rails 10 and 11 thereare formed the recesses22, and secured in each of these recesses is a spring contact finger 23. To each end of the mov able section 14 there is secured a Contact fin'- ger 24 which engages with a finger 23, when the section isswung into alinement with the rail ends 10 and 1 The lock 18 is provided with a bolt 25, controlled by the key 26, `and .normally urged outwardly by a spring 27, into position to engage in the slot of the keeper 17when the ment with the rail ends 10 and 11. By reason of the fact that the contact in.

gers 23 are mounted within recesses in the ends of the rail sections 10 and 11, saidfinkgers will not be easily engaged and broken,

sections 10, andll, and away from the con` Y The outer end of each of the rail sections 10 and 11 isformed with a recess'28, within which is disposed a spring pressed wedge member 29, for holding the end of a wire 30 inserted in said recess. y

The support or hanger 12, as well as the upper portion of the movable section 14,are formed from insulation. I

What is claimed is I 1. The combination with a support having a central recess vin its lower portion,frail sections carried by the support and terminat-` ing` at the ends of the recess, a movable rail section pivotally supported within said recess for movement laterally into and out of 2. rllhe combination with a support having a central recess in its lower portion, rail seetions carried by the support and terminating at the ends of the recess, a movable rail section having an upper portion of insulation pivotally supported in said recess, a keeper carried by said insulated portion of the movable section, and a lock carriedV .by the support and including a bolt for engagement with said keeper for holding the movable section out of alinement With the irst rail 10 sections, at times.

In testimony whereof, I atiix my signature.

M'AnLoWE W. srEvnNs. 

